Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-4 million Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000—30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4,000 and 6,000 Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25 percent Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-650 cats at 5 kittens per litter is 250 kittens X 3 litters a year is 750 kittensAverage number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-1050 dogs at 5 puppies per litter is 250 puppies x 2 litters a year is 500 puppies